Public Funding Gives Hogan Lead in Campaign Cash

BALTIMORE (AP) - Republican gubernatorial nominee Larry Hogan has more than three times as much campaign cash on hand than his Democratic rival, Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown - but it's an edge that's almost certain to evaporate.

That's because Hogan is relying on public campaign financing, which gave him a lump-sum payment of $2.6 million from the state's public financing fund. But, unlike Brown, he's barred from raising additional funds between now and the November election.

Hogan reported Tuesday that he had $2.4 million in the bank, while Brown's campaign had $760,000.

Brown reports raising about $1.5 million dollars in the latest reporting period. His campaign says the Maryland Democratic Party currently has $1.1 million to spend on this year's general election.